Anthony Alford

ANTHONY ALFORD, CENTER FIELDER
Born: July 20, 1994
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 210
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Drafted: 3rd Round, 112th Overall, 2012 (Blue Jays)
How Acquired: Waiver Claim (from Blue Jays)
High School: Petal (MS) HS
Agent: Jet Sports

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE

The Jays drafted Alford out of high school.  They signed him as part of an agreement that let him play football at Southern Mississippi in the fall and baseball in the summer.  He left Southern Mississippi after his first season when he got arrested due to a bar fight, and went to Mississippi.  After playing a few games there, he decided to concentrate on baseball.  As a result of his football efforts, he played only a little in the Jays’ system in 2012-14.

When drafted, scouts considered Alford a high-risk player with speed who had the athleticism to play center and the potential to hit for power.  The bat never really developed, although the potential has kept him on prospect lists throughout his time as a pro.  He’s played primarily in center, where he’s been considered around average.  His arm is below average.  According to Statcast, he has elite speed.  Alford has spent parts of four seasons in the majors, but has gotten very little playing time.

2012
R:  167/250/333, 18 AB, 1 HR, 2 BB, 4 K, 4-4 SB

Alford got into only five games in rookie ball.  Baseball America rated him Toronto’s tenth best prospect after the season.

2013
R:  227/414/409, 22 AB, 2 2B, 1 3B, 6 BB, 6 K, 2-2 SB

This time Alford got into six games.

2014
R+:  207/343/310, 29 AB, 1 HR, 5 BB, 13 K, 1-1 SB
A:  320/320/480, 25 AB, 1 2B, 1 HR, 8 K, 4-4 SB

Alford continued to play very sparingly:  nine games in advanced rookie ball and five in low class A.  BA rated him 18th in the Jays’ system after the season.

2015
A:  293/418/394, 188 AB, 14 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 39 BB, 60 K, 12-13 SB
A+:  302/380/444, 225 AB, 11 2B, 6 3B, 3 HR, 28 BB, 49 K, 15-21 SB

Splitting his season between low and high A, Alford made a lot of progress, showing a lot of patience and taking advantage of his speed on the bases, although he didn’t hit for much power.  BA rated him the top prospect in the Toronto system.

2016
A+:  236/344/378, 339 AB, 17 2B, 2 3B, 9 HR, 53 BB, 117 K, 18-24 SB

The Jays left Alford in high A all year, as he was hampered by a knee injury and a concussion.  He continued drawing walks and showed a little more over-the-fence power, but his K rate increased sharply.  BA ranked him second in the system and the Jays added him to their 40-man roster in the fall.

2017
A+:  143/182/143, 21 AB, 8 K, 1-1 SB
AA:  310/406/429, 245 AB, 14 2B, 5 HR, 35 BB, 45 K, 18-21 SB
AAA:  333/385/417, 12 AB, 1 2B, 1 BB, 2 K
MLB:  125/125/250, 8 AB, 1 2B, 3 K

Alford fractured his wrist in May and missed two months.  When he was able to play he mostly saw action in AA.  He had a good season at the plate, with a good walk rate and a much-reduced K rate.  Alford got a brief callup in May.  BA ranked him third in the system.

2018
A+:  200/360/250, 20 AB, 1 2B, 3 BB, 8 K, 0-1 SB
AAA:  240/312/344, 375 AB, 22 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 30 BB, 112 K, 17-24 SB
MLB:  105/190/105, 19 AB, 2 BB, 9 K, 1-1 SB

Spending most of his season in AAA, Alford struggled at the plate.  His walk and K rates worsened, and he continued to show very limited power.  He got a brief callup in May and came back to the majors in September.  BA ranked him 11th in the system.

2019
R:  385/467/923, 13 AB, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 2 BB 1 K
AAA:  259/343/411, 282 AB, 16 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 31 BB, 94 K, 22-30 SB
MLB:  188/188/375, 16 AB, 1 HR, 7 K, 3-3 SB

Alford hit better in AAA, but missed time with an oblique injury.  He fanned in exactly a third of his at-bats.  BA dropped his ranking to 25th.

2020
MLB:  188/188/375, 16 AB, 1 HR, 7 K, 3-3 SB

Out of options, Alford made Toronto’s roster for the shortened season.  He continued to struggle in a very small number of at-bats, and the Jays designated him for assignment.  The Pirates claimed him off waivers.

The Bucs’ acquisition of Alford fit the pattern so far under Ben Cherington of acquiring players who’ve shown little to no ability at the plate.  At age 26 when acquired, Alford also isn’t especially young.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2020: Major League Minimum
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $750,000
MiLB Debut: 2012
MLB Debut: 5/19/2017
MiLB FA Eligible: N/A
MLB FA Eligible: 2026
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Added to 40-Man: 11/18/2016
Options Remaining: 0 (USED: 2017, 2018, 2019)
MLB Service Time: 0.142
TRANSACTIONS
June 5, 2012: Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 3rd round, 112th overall pick; signed on June 14.
November 18, 2016: Contract purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays.
August 20, 2020: Designated for assignment by the Toronto Blue Jays.
August 27, 2020: Claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays by the Pittsburgh Pirates.